Weymouth Lifeboat Station has recently received a large donation bequeathed in the will of Mrs Jean Johnson.
The station was visited by Mrs Johnson’s executors, Mr & Mrs Stevenson who handed over a cheque for £235,000. A similar amount was also donated to Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.
Mrs Stevenson said of Mrs Johnson:
“Jean Patricia Johnson was born in London in 1929 as an only child. She married Michael; they never had any children of their own, however children were always their love. Jean and Michael moved into the vicarage at Toller Porcorum in 1983 which they bought from the church. They were very happy and joined in social events and fundraising activities. Jean was an amazing seamstress and needle worker; she was always knitting and creating gifts for babies and well known for knitting shawls for new mums.
“During a holiday to Malta, Michael was taken ill and flown home. Unfortunately, he died a week later, just two weeks after Jean’s mother had passed away. Michael had been Jean’s life and she was devastated. It seems that Jean went into a depressive state and couldn’t face going to his funeral. She chose to be left mostly to herself, although kept in contact with Michael’s family and some friends.
“Jean slowly withdrew from village life. However, she did get the weekly bus from the village to Dorchester and Bridport. She would chat with staff in Waitrose and started knitting for the Sue Ryder shop in Bridport.
“As time went on, Jean became less mobile and more reclusive, though she always had time to joke with the villagers as she waited for the bus. Some villagers helped with paying bills, dropping off shopping and delivering her weekly newspaper, all of which were left on her gate where she would leave the money to pay for them. She wouldn’t let anyone in the house and villagers became increasingly concerned when its appearance started to deteriorate. Although there were many offers of help, Jean declined them. Jean had fallen and collapsed a couple of times but refused help from any services. For the weeks leading up to Christmas, she didn’t leave the house. She would sit knitting away, whilst my daughter and I took her meals and drinks, including Christmas lunch.
“As the weeks went on, Jean complained of being in pain and although initially she wouldn’t let me get help, she eventually agreed for me to do so. After a visit from social services, Jean was taken into hospital where she remained for six weeks with sepsis; I visited every day. When the time came for Jean to be discharged from hospital, she could not return to the house until renovations were made. It was agreed that she would go into temporary care; she asked if I could make the necessary arrangements. I found her a small local home where she was cared for and made very comfortable. Just before the renovations were due to start, Jean asked if she could stay where she was. I therefore organised the house to be cleared and put up for sale.
“Jean came back to the village every year for a birthday celebration with people from the village who had helped her over the years. She always had a story to tell; often about past times in the village, her life with Michael who was clearly her best friend, and her childhood growing up in London during the war. She had an amazing sense of humour and was a very dear and loving friend who is dearly missed.”
Chrissie Paine, Weymouth RNLI lifeboat station, Lifeboat Management Group Chair said, “It was a very special day for Weymouth Lifeboat boat Station to receive the presentation cheque from Mr. & Mrs. Stephenson the Executors of Mrs. Jean Johnson’s bequest. Mrs. Johnson’s gift entrusts our Crews to use their skills, experience and courage, to continue saving lives.”
The RNLI are showing their appreciation of Mrs. Johnson’s generous gift, by adding her name to the decal on a new Shannon-Class All Weather Lifeboat, which will be stationed at Yarmouth and Gorlestan. This will be our first Legacy Lifeboat and is due on service in the second half of 2022.
Picture: Mrs Jean Johnson
Picture below: Mr and Mrs Stephenson handing the cheque to Weymouth lifeboat station personnel
